Chapter 141: The Forest Bleeds, The War Unfolds
Heavy clashes erupted across the forest, the sounds of roars—both bestial and human—shaking the air with each impact. Explosions boomed intermittently as combatants were launched into the dense red trees, bodies tearing through foliage like missiles.
Above the chaos, a disturbing chorus of moans and guttural screams echoed—prisoners chained to the blood-soaked roots and vines had begun to have their energy and lifeforce drained. The bloody aura thickened with every breath, saturating the forest like a miasmic fog.
Magic surged through the battlefield. Grand invocations caused the earth to quake, while silent spells flickered through the trees, devastating those caught unaware. Towering figures displayed terrifying feats of power, some crushing waves of smaller opponents, while others squared off with enemies of equally monstrous scale.
"I found you, traitor! Kill this traitor!"
"Me? You're calling me a traitor? Who was it that saved your asses against those fiends back then?!"
Shouts from certain forces hunting down those guilty of betrayal rang across the battlefield. Some friends quickly turned into enemies. While Elton's group was clearly a primary target, the entire region had devolved into a chaotic free-for-all.
A horned man at Gold Tier 2 burst through a barricade of Crimson-eyed warriors, blood streaming down his body.
"Out of the way!"
He barreled forward—until a sharp wave of danger slammed into him. A barrage of red liquid pellets rained from the shadows, smashing against his armor and searing his flesh. Even with protective ki, the force staggered him and forced a retreat.
Elsewhere, a Demonic beast with a hawk's head and an orangutan's body collided with another beast of the exact same features only with the addition of those shining crimson eyes. Their roars shattered the air as they clashed with savage fury, screaming curses in their native tongue.
It was total chaos. No true factions, no clear lines—just blood, rage, and desperation.
Back near the center, Elton and Christy stood alert, blades ready, shielding Shayleaf, who continued to cultivate. Her aura had swelled dramatically. Though not yet fully broken through, she was already emitting the strength of a Gold Tier 5 cultivator.
But something felt different—more terrifying.
"This forest is… amping her cultivation like crazy," Christy muttered, echoing Elton's thoughts aloud.
Elton nodded, eyes narrowing. He recognized it—the same overwhelming surge he once experienced. But Shayleaf's seemed even greater, likely due to the massive amounts of energy embedded throughout the bloody forest and her awakening bloodline. And with that surge, the danger had only intensified.
More and more powerful beings were emerging.
Not every Crimson-eyed warrior was their ally, either. Some were mindless, others rabid and wild, their only instinct: destruction. Luckily, many of these lunatics were more inclined to attack enemies when others with Crimson eyes were nearby. But even that was no guarantee.
Suddenly, a trio of powerful experts broke through a wave of defenders—two Gold Tier 2s and one Gold Tier 3—coordinated, brutal, and deadly. They charged toward Shayleaf's location, intent on getting through.
Five Crimson-eyed guards stepped in immediately, meeting them head-on. The resulting clash shook the forest, but ultimately the trio was pushed back.
Seconds later, two more Gold Tier 2 enemies charged in—only to be intercepted by two similarly ranked Crimson warriors. They fought like devils incarnate, and again, the enemies were driven back.
Then came the real danger.
Two Gold Tier 3 cultivators burst into the area with explosive force, grinning with sick anticipation.
"Huhuhu! That woman's mine!"
"Haaah?! Ours, you mean!"
Suddenly, a terrifying pressure slammed into them like a collapsing mountain.
"Wha—?! Look out!"
From the shadows, a figure wielding a black and green scythe appeared like a phantom, unleashing a devastating ki slash. One man took a vicious slash across the chest, howling in agony as blood poured from the wound. The other barely dodged.
Just then—thwip!
An arrow pierced the chest of the second cultivator.
"What the—?! Where did—Ugh!!"
Before he could react, two more arrows slammed into his body—one puncturing his heart, the other shredding through his dantian.
As he collapsed in shock, the first man panicked, attempting to flee—only for another arrow to shred through his leg. Before he could scream, the scythe-wielder cleaved clean through his neck.
Blood sprayed the earth.
Tongsheng appeared, retrieving her arrows with practiced ease.
"Good work. Let's deal with the rest of them."
"Grugrufruhuhu… Your name's Tongsheng now, huh? Then lead on," the scythe-wielding man chuckled, amused but respectful.
"Hmph."
With lethal precision, Tongsheng and the scythe warrior re-entered the battle, supporting the Crimson guards. Their cooperation was efficient and merciless. Enemy forces fell like wheat under a blade.
But then—five new enemies appeared, including a Gold Tier 4 expert.
The tempo of the battle shifted again.